Com licença
polite, passing or entering
In European Portuguese you say Com licença to pass by or enter, and Desculpe to get someone's attention or interrupt. Faz favor is a polite call to a waiter or shop assistant.
Meaning: polite phrase to pass, interrupt or get attention (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Com licença | polite, passing or entering |
| Desculpe | formal, getting attention |
| Faz favor | polite, Portugal |
Say Com licença on a crowded bus or when you step into a room. Desculpe also works as a short apology if you bump into someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Desculpe is the formal form. With friends you can say Desculpa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Faz favor is very typical of Portugal. The waiter will often say it to you as well, meaning "tell me what you need".
Did you know?
- Portuguese people often say Com licença when entering a shop or an elevator even if nobody is blocking the way.
Examples in context
- Com licença, posso passar?Excuse me, may I pass?
- Desculpe, onde fica a estação?Excuse me, where is the station?
- Faz favor, a conta.Excuse me, the bill please.
Example conversation
Rita stops a passer-by called Sr. Matos near the station in Lisbon.
- RitaDesculpe, sabe onde fica o metro?Excuse me, do you know where the metro is?
- Sr. MatosSei sim. É ali em frente.I do. It is right there ahead.
- RitaMuito obrigada.Thank you very much.
